KARACHI: In a major move to bring reforms in police stations, the Karachi police abolished the “special parties” arrangement operating under station house officers, as some officials are generally believed to be involved in patronising criminal activities, said a top official.

The move is expected to bring back more than 500 officials, who operate in civvies, to police stations for regular policing, as the “special parties” were often accused of conniving with criminal elements instead of law enforcement in their area.

“The members of these parties will no more operate in civvies. Like other officials at police stations, they will be deputed in uniforms on regular duties,” said Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, who has been looking after the city police chief office these days, while speaking to Dawn.

He said: “The move will increase manpower at the police stations’ level.”

Asked about the legality and any provision of “special parties” in Police Rules, the additional IG said there was no clause in the law that allowed such groups of officials in civvies to operate under SHOs in the areas.

He agreed to the notion that these “special parties” at the police station level were mostly found involved in illegal activities, patronage of criminal elements in their area and running criminal rackets.

“Apart from this factor, the special parties also affected the manpower at the area police station that has always remained below the required level,” said Additional IG Abbasi.

“Whenever a complaint emerges against any police station’s performance, the SHO concerned comes up with the excuse of manpower shortage.

“So we have brought this reform in the police stations for dual impact and expect some positive changes in the days to come.”

Karachi — Pakistan’s transport and commerce hub that generates more than half of the national revenue — has the lowest number of policemen per citizen in the region.

The sanctioned strength of around 40,000 law enforcers is below the required level and the authorities need to urgently review the security situation within the metropolis that is home to more than 18 million people.

Until a few years ago, there was one policeman for the protection of the lives, property and legitimate interests of 571 people in Karachi. Comparatively, in Lahore, a policeman looked after the lives and interests of 287 people, almost half the number assigned to a policeman in Karachi.

“After a few weeks, we will review and revisit the impact of this move which is aimed at changing the thana culture,” said Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi.

“There will be proper check so that this decision is implemented in letter and spirit. If such parties are still found operating in their areas, there will be strong action against the officials concerned,” he added.

Published in Dawn January 29th, 2017